SomeBrisbane Homeowners can face tens of thousands of dollars in bills to treat an infestation of an extremely destructive termite species.
New discoveries of West Indian drywall termites in the city have sparked a biosecurity raid.
The invasive species burrows into wooden buildings and furniture, and although the insect is only half a centimeter in size, it can wreak havoc on homes.
West Indian drywall termites can be extremely destructive to wooden homes and furniture. (9News)
“They are very destructive,” said Wayne Neale of Dunrite Pest Control Operations.
“They can eat the outer frames of the house, climb into the roof, eat the trusses and beams.”
The termite species has been native to the state since the 1960s, but discoveries have prompted Biosecurity Queensland to warn Brisbane residents.
“Over the next week, 30,000 residential and business addresses will receive emails with advice on what to look for and what to do,” Biosecurity Queensland said.
These suburbs include Coorparoo, West End, Woolloongabba and Manly.
The termites are treated by fumigation of homes, a process that the state government previously paid for until the free fumigation program was scrapped in January last year.
“We ended up paying $34,000 to have it fixed and fumigate,” one homeowner told 9News.
The bill can be even higher and the damage far worse.
“[It] wouldn’t be the first time a home has had to be destroyed by a termite attack,” Neale said
Even the state government is not immune to an infestation. The Parliament building had to be evacuated and covered in a tent in 1979 to rid it of termites.
Signs of a termite infestation can include termite frass, which is vomited mud around the home, and damage to doors.
Queenslanders are required to report a termite infestation to Biosecurity Queensland within 24 hours of discovery
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Local residents are urged to seek help from an expert.
